University College Dublin

MSc Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation
Academic Year 2020/2021
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

This is a programme for law enforcement. It aims to provide high quality forensic computing and cybercrime investigation training and formal education. It is also designed to deliver cutting-edge, up-to-date cybercrime investigation techniques, strategies and tactics that allow students to understand and tackle emerging trends in cybercrime. Over the past 12 years we brought in specialists from around the world to review and advise on the content considering the needs of digital forensic investigators and computer crime specialists. The UCD School of Computer Science (CS) and UCD Centre for Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Investigation (CCI) are working closely with law enforcement agencies and industry practitioners in seeking solutions to technologies-related crime. CS and CCI staff also collaborate with the scientists from European Cybercrime Training and Educational Group at Europol (ECTEG) to work on applied research and developing forensic tools and then to transfer high impact research achievements and efficient, free forensic tools to the law enforcement community. This programme is delivered by experienced academics from CS and CCI and also by experts who are leaders, managers and heads of forensic departments in law enforcement agencies and in industry..

A wide range of modules is available at beginner and advanced levels. On successful completion of the programme, depending on the module taken, students will be able to:

Understand methods used to conduct forensic analysis of digital devices including computer systems and mobile devices

Identify, collect, process, analyse and present digital forensics evidence

Use common network investigation techniques

Develop critical thinking in anaylsing and performing cybercrime investigation

Research and develop custom tools for evidence analysis

Work in groups to resolve computer forensic challenges

Understand the cybercrime business model and how to perform the financial fraud investigations

Conduct research into novel forensic and cybercrime investigation problems

Investigate cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet

Tackle the forensic analysis of future technologies (both hardware and software) through the development of new applications.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

This programme is open to members of LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ONLY. This includes employees of any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation including but not limited to: Police Forces, International law enforcement organisations (Europol, Interpol, etc), Fisheries, Border control, Immigration, Tax/Revenue & Customs, Regulatory enforcement, Military (Army, Navy, Air Force etc). The programme is flexible enough to accomodate both experts and beginners in the field of digital forensics and cybercrime investigation.

Programme Outcomes
Understand methods used to conduct forensic analysis of digital devices including computer systems and mobile devices

Identify, collect, process, analyse and present digital forensics evidence

Develop critical thinking in anaylsing and performing cybercrime investigation

Use common network investigation techniques

Research and develop custom tools for evidence analysis

Work in group to resolve computer forensic challenges

Understand cybercrime business model and how to perform the financial fraud investigation

Conduct research into novel forensic and cybercrime investigation problems

Perform the financial fraud investigation

Tackle the forensic analysis of future technologies (both hardware and software) through the development of new applications

Investigate cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet

Conduct research into novel forensic and cybercrime investigation problems

Develop critical thinking in anaylsing and performing cybercrime investigation

Identify, collect, process, analyse and present digital forensics evidence

Investigate cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet

Perform the financial fraud investigation

Research and develop custom tools for evidence analysis
Tackle the forensic analysis of future technologies (both hardware and software) through the development of new applications

Understand cybercrime business model and how to perform the financial fraud investigation

Understand methods used to conduct forensic analysis of digital devices including computer systems and mobile devices

Use common network investigation techniques

Work in group to resolve computer forensic challenges